Vol. 553 No. 4
134 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to develop or expand the affordable housing pro gramme in view of the problems faced by at least 50,000 young families on housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/02]
The targets for completions under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, for the shared ownership and affordable housing schemes are 1,000 each per annum. In 2001 a total of 1,611 transactions were completed under the shared ownership scheme and a total of 272 houses were completed under the affordable housing scheme. Progress has been slower than expected under the affordable housing scheme, in part due to the time lag between land acquisition and construction and sale. Since the introduction of a site subsidy in June 2000, the number of transactions has increased. At the end of 2001, a total of 4,168 dwellings were in planning and 1,177 under construction.
These figures will be supplemented by the significant numbers of affordable housing which will be coming onstream under the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act which is now fully operational in respect of planning applications for housing developments.
